International Day of the Girl

Thoughts by Talk of the Town Founder, Danika Leminski:

When a girl gets the right start in life, her potential is limitless. When a girl grows up knowing that she can follow her dreams, her dreams get bigger. When she believes she can succeed, she works toward that success. When she has opportunities to shine, she shows the world what she can do. A girl like this grows up expecting equality.

Today is International Day of the Girl, an acknowledgement of girls who are creating positive momentum in their own lives and in the lives of their families, their communities, and the world.

I have been lucky enough to have clean water, healthy food, a safe place to live, the best education my parents could give me, support from an incredible network, and freedom from violence. My experiences from Elmwood School, AIESEC, Equal Voice, and many other opportunities have allowed me to grow and blossom, personally and professionally.

I have been given an equal start in life so that I have the change to grow to my full potential, so I can take my place as a leader, and make a positive impact in the world.

I am thankful that I an free to pursue my dreams, but I also find it heartbreaking that so many girls and women around the globe, and even in my own city, do not have this same fortune. Days like International Day of the Girl are important because they remind us that we still have a long way to go for equality. We need to be reminded that support for girls and their basic human rights is key for healthy communities. Improving girls’ lives has a ripple effect. What is good for them is good for all of us.